Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
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Crook County is calling for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to rethink its plans to amend every national forest land management in the nation to create one overall strategy for managing old-growth forests. In a comment letter signed by the county commissioners last week, the county criticizes the one-size-fits-all approach and the USFS’s failure to include local governments in the process. “Upon reading through it, it will affect all the National Forests in Wyoming, which includes the Black Hills; it will also include Thunder Basin National Gras...
The first significant fire of the year burned an area 42 acres in size on Monday afternoon. According to Fire Warden Charlie Harrison, a three-week-old burn pile on private land a mile to the west of Aladdin reignited at around 1 p.m. and took several hours to mop up. "It smoldered for a while and then got caught up in the wind yesterday," he says. Conditions are significantly dryer than usual at this time, he says, but the lack of moisture and winds can lead to dangerous situations....
Crook County Weed & Pest asks for members of the community who would be interested in a grasshopper program this year to attend a meeting later this month. To be held on February 19 at 6 p.m. and February 20 at 9 a.m. in the courthouse basement, the meetings will help Weed & Pest evaluate public interest in the program and construct a program for the year ahead. Discussions will include surveys, potential treatments, cost estimates, cost-share options and the next steps for the potential program. Contact Alycia or Sophie if you have any...
Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-yr Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current Percent of 30-Year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 1.0 0.2 1.8 3.4 11 Blind Park Snotel 6870 11.0 2.1 4.7 5.3 45 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 8.0 2.1 3.2 4.5 66 Ditch Creek 6880 8.5 1.5 2.4 2.9 63 Little Bear Run 6240 3.7 0.6 2.7 3.3 22 Mallo 6420 10.6 2.0 4.7 5.9 43 Mount Tom 5560 9.0 1.0 3.3 4.4 30 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 13.0 3.8 4.7 4.6 81 Reuter Canyon 6280 4.4 0.9 6.0 7.3 15 Upper Spearfish 6500 9.7 1.5 4.0 5...
The Bear Lodge trail system sits unusable Tuesday as the area continues to experience unseasonably warm and dry conditions. Grooming, which is usually in full swing by the end of December, has not commenced this season due to the lack of snow. Crook County is currently once again listed as abnormally dry by the U.S. Drought Monitor, with significantly less precipitation than usual predicted for the next month....
Last winter killed most of western Wyoming's mule deer. That prompted calls to kill predators, and wildlife managers listened – even though there was little scientific support to prove it would work to bring deer back. Because of speculation that mountain lions would hold the deer population low, more were targeted – and killed – in the regions where winter hit mule deer the hardest. There were outfitter calls to kill more black bears, too, though the Wyoming Game and Fish Department did not u...
Over a weekend of life-threatening cold that saw weather warnings issued across most of the lower 48, local records were broken as the temperature kept right on dropping. The bitter temperatures were caused by Arctic air migrating down from Canada. Wind chills were low enough at times for frostbite to affect exposed skin within five to ten minutes. The lowest wind chills in Crook County were recorded on Saturday morning, just after 5 a.m., when Sundance and the area east of Pine Haven saw...
The county commissioners convened in a special meeting on Tuesday morning to approve a letter of comment on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (RMP). The document has been controversial across Wyoming and, by approving the letter, the commission joined with the efforts of the Wyoming County Commissioners Association to push back against it. "It is clear that the draft Rock Springs RMP is critical for the economy and...
The University of Wyoming Extension will offer eight private pesticide applicator education programs at various locations in northeast Wyoming Jan. 25 through March 14, 2024. Private applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). The four-hour private applicator education programs provide an overview of certification requirements, pertinent regulations, pesticide safety and handling, proper disposal practices and more....
Winter took its time coming this year, but the snow made itself felt as the week began, ushering in frigid temps that promise to continue for the next few days....
On New Year's Day, Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites hosted a record number of participants during their annual First Day Hikes with 1132 attendees hiking more than 2000 miles. This reflects a 206% increase in participation from 2023. Locally, Keyhole State Park welcomed 48 hikers to the event. "Each year, our agency strives to enhance this annual event in ways that will continue to encourage both returning and first-time guests to join us outdoors for this special occasion, and we were,...
Sundance Rod and Gun Club recently held their annual Horn Night. In the youth category, the Best Elk was Cash Peterson, Best Deer was Silas Speidel, Best Turkey was Brady Bock, Best Antelope was Silas Speidel. Best Overall was Elk Nick Ferderer, Best Deer was Silas Speidel, Best Turkey was Brady Bock and Antelope was Duane Ferderer. Winner of the Grand Slam (best average score of all four species) was Brian Bock. In the fish category, Best Rainbow was Parker Seely and Best Walleye was Mike...
Wyoming State Parks has announced the launch of a new reservation and permit sales system that it says will offer a more streamlined experience for recreationists looking to enjoy the state’s outdoor opportunities. The new website allows you to refine your needs when staying in a state park, from the type of camping or lodging you’d prefer through to the type of camping equipment you will bring. Once you select from the available options, you can view maps detailing exactly where each available site is located and additional information, suc...
Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-year Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current Percent of 30-year Median SWE Blind Park Snotel 6870 8 1.3 3.2 * 41 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 5 1.3 2.5 * 52 Ditch Creek 6880 5.5 0.6 1.9 * 32 Little Bear Run 6240 1.7 0.2 1.7 * 12 Mallo 6240 8.8 1.1 3 * 37 Mount Tom 5560 6.8 0.6 2.3 * 26 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 11 2.9 3.2 * 91 * No data collected. Submitted by Sherry Burr, NRCS...
Wyoming Game & Fish announced this week that, despite breaking records for high-risk watercraft inspections this year, the state’s waters appear to still be free from invasive mussels. According to the announcement, the department inspected over 73,000 boats across the state. Personnel decontaminated 1154 watercraft and found mussels on 64 of them, both the highest number since the Aquatic Invasive Species program began in 2010. “This year we saw another increase in high-risk watercraft moving through Wyoming’s check stations,” said Josh Le...
Seasonal gates and recreation sites that are not open through the winter on the Black Hills National Forest were closed on Friday, December 15. Gates are closed to provide seasonal refuge for wildlife, protect natural resources and provide for public safety as some roads are converted to snowmobile trails. Seasonally closed roads and trails are identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Snowmobile trails are open from December 15 to March 31 annually. Wheeled vehicles are not allowed on the snowmobile trails during that time...
The assessment phase is now complete for the Black Hills National Forest Plan Revision process and a total of 20 revised, forest-wide resource assessments have been released. The 20 assessments evaluate existing information about current and relevant ecological, economic and social conditions, trends and sustainability on the Forest, according to a press release from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The purpose of conducting assessments is to identify the need to change the Land Management Plan. These will be used, according to the USFS, alongsi...
To guide how climbing opportunities are managed in national forests, grasslands and parks, public input is requested on new guidance for U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) personnel. The public comment period is open until January 16. The guidance covers all climbing types, including rock climbing, snow and ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering and caving. It affirms that this is an appropriate use of public lands, including wilderness, and that it should be managed in a way that protects cultural and natural resour...
The most popular creature in town this week makes a break for the safety of the trees. Happy Thanksgiving!...
This is the time of year to celebrate old and new traditions with family and friends, like venturing into your favorite national forest to harvest your own Christmas tree. Black Hills National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available for purchase either online at Recreation.gov, from your local Forest Service office or from private vendors throughout the Black Hills. To purchase a permit online, visit Recreation.gov and search for Black Hills National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. It is important to carefully read the overview and...
The Bureau of Land Management Newcastle Field Office plans to burn slash piles this winter on BLM-administered lands in Crook and Weston counties. Burning may continue as conditions permit through April 2024. All prescribed burn projects are conducted in accordance with approved burn plans and burning is contingent on fuel moisture and weather meeting appropriate treatment conditions on site. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding areas during burning operations and days following as slash materials consume. The purpose of the planned burns...
Regional Forester Frank Beum has selected Shawn Cochran as the new permanent Forest Supervisor for Black Hills National Forest. Cochran has served the last five years as Forest Supervisor on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. He replaces acting forest supervisor Ivan Green. Cochran reports to the Black Hills National Forest effective Jan. 14, 2024. "We are happy that Shawn has accepted the position of Forest Supervisor on the Black Hills," said Beum. "Keeping the important work...
Frost-covered trees brings a touch of beauty to a cold and foggy day on East Main Street Friday morning, after the first snow of the season....
Wyoming Game and Fish is asking residents to properly dispose of pumpkins instead of leaving them out for wildlife to eat. While it may seem harmless to leave pumpkins out, it is quite the opposite, especially for mule deer whose digestive system cannot process unnatural foods. This often leads to sick animals. Additionally, pumpkins left outside can attract scavenging animals, from raccoons to bears. “This time of year we get many calls about sickly deer fawns and much of this can be attributed to these deer eating foods that offer little nutr...
Wyoming Game & Fish (WGF) has released its law enforcement statistics for the year of 2022, showing that both the regions that encapsulate Crook County saw a modest decrease in violations. Sundance forms part of the Casper region, while Moorcroft, Pine Haven and Hulett sit in the Sheridan region. Within the Casper region, WGF has seven district game wardens, one access coordinator, a regional game warden and a regional wildlife supervisor. In 2022, law enforcement documented 522 violations in this region, which was a decrease of 20% from the...
